Ep. 373: Climbing in North Korea - Woolly Mammoths - Nepal & Siberia - George Kourounis

Ethan grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and had to learn the ins and outs of backcountry safety at an early age in order to enjoy time in the mountains during the winter.  Fast forward a few decades and Ethan has been the Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center since 2005 and knows, probably better than anyone, the importance of what they do every day. When your job involves keeping folks out of life-threatening danger, everything you do has to be done Without Compromise. Today’s episode is all about Ethan’s story, what he’s learned, and what you need to know to stay safe doing backcountry adventures in the winter. Learn more about Colorado Avalanche Information Center and Friends of CAIC, visit avalanche.state.co.us and follow them on social. Instagram: @friendsofcaicFacebook: @COAvalancheInfo & @FriendsofCAICTry Athletic Brewing’s award-winning non-alcoholic craft beers at AthleticBrewing.com To apply for Athletic Brewing’s $500,000 trail project grant, go to their Two For The Trails application. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

26 Maalis 202138min

Christine’s love for backpacking started the same way many of the adventures on this podcast start, with a Google search. Her quest that day? To find out what this backpacking thing was all about. After only a few articles into her search, Christine decided to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. It was a huge leap of faith but she immediately got to work to make that dream come true.The funny thing about making a dream a reality is that it’s not what we typically imagine. The realness of life usually gets in the way and what actually happens before, during, and after an adventure is anything but what we plan for. Today we’re going to hear Christine’s story of how her experience hiking the AT changed her and all the adventures that have come before and after it. She has written her experiences in a new book after a life-altering trip on the Wonderland trail called Alone in Wonderland, which can be found at her website, aloneinwonderland.comFollow Christine on social: @ruggedoutdoorswomanSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

22 Maalis 202144min

Originally “aired” May 17, 2018Paragliding! This one has been on our adventure bucket list for some time now. But can you imagine using your paraglider as your transportation method to new overnight camping locations and putting a multi-day trip together? That would be sweet! Nick Neynens is on the show today to explain what this "Vol-Biv" sport is and what it's like to soar up in the air like an eagle with the intention of landing to camp each day. Nick also talks about the Red Bull X-Alps which is an event where paragliders race across the Alps, flying straight-line distances of more than 600 miles! Vol-Biv demands paragliding skills as well as physical endurance. For you fans of flying, this one is not to miss!Facebook: @sharemyjoyswww.sharemyjoys.comInstagram: @nneynenswww.twitter.com/nneynenswww.youtube.com/sharemyjoysSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18 Maalis 202151min

Back in 2017 while sitting on the couch and watching sports news coverage, Laura noticed the dismal amount of time dedicated to women’s sports. What struck her the most was “the fact that there are more stories about horses than women in the sports pages”. Being a proficient soccer player herself and experiencing the frustrations of minimal coverage and a general lack of opportunities, she decided to do something about it. A quick Google Maps search and a few emails later, Laura devised a plan to elevate women’s sports higher than it has ever gone, literally. The idea was to gather a group of women to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and play an official game of soccer near the summit. The journey became a gathering of 60 women from around the world with referees, goals, etc. all climbing above 18,000 ft. to play a soccer game. Their efforts stand as a Guinness World Record, a testament to their dedication to raising the coverage and opportunity for women in sports, and was the genesis of Equal Playing Field, a non-profit Laura co-founded. After the success of climbing Kilimanjaro, Laura continued to chase Guinness World Record soccer matches to raise awareness for women in sports and show the world women can do anything. The lowest elevation soccer game was played at the Dead Sea in 2018, and two world records were achieved in France thereafter for the most nationalities represented in a soccer game. The long-term action Laura has taken is through her startup, Ida Sports, which is aiming to create a soccer boot specific to women, something that has never been done successfully, but something needed due to fundamental differences in men's and women’s feet. If you learn anything from Laura, it’s that you shouldn’t be afraid of going down a path no one has ever gone before, especially if a better world is on the other side.To learn more about Laura and her work:Idasports.co @idasportsEqualplayingfield.com @equalplayingfieldinitiativeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

15 Maalis 202140min

As a kid when Marcus wanted to play football and baseball his mom would only allow it after he fulfilled one condition, learn to swim. Even after excelling at track and football, the foundation of swimming was what Marcus always came back to and also excelled in. He eventually went to college on a track and swimming scholarship, giving him a leg up in the sport of triathlons, which he would soon discover. Seeing a lack of diversity in the sport for a multitude of reasons, Marcus began to strategically find ways to break down the barriers in his community to create avenues for new folks, especially those of color and minorities, to try and excel in triathlons. This led him to organize the District Triathlon club in DC as an official 501(c)3. After a handful of successful years growing the community and seeing even more potential, Marcus then decided to start GRIT USA, an adult endurance and multisport development program for triathletes. Today Marcus splits his time between growing GRIT, pursuing his other goals like the Speed Project, and using his platform in the DC area to continue to be a voice of change, equality, and hope.Learn more about Marcus, District Triathlon, and GRIT USA below:@coach_fitts@grit.usa@district_triathlondistricttriathlon.comtriathlete.com/culture/more-than-ever-triathlon-clubs-matterTo learn more about Athletic Brewing’s award-winning non-alcoholic craft beer, go to AthleticBrewing.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

11 Maalis 202141min

On this show, we often hear of the over-civilized nine-to-fiver that becomes so dissatisfied with the daily grind that they give up the world of suit and ties, commutes, and water cooler chats to become a full-time adventurer.What about those of us that find real peace and tranquility in the workplace? What if a full-time job actually led to more adventures? Today we’re talking to Barry Kruse, someone who had the chance to be that full-time adventurer, but left it for a whitecollar career, and couldn’t be happier. Listen now to hear how his decision has not only led to an amazing life, but one filled with adventures. Find out more about Barry and listen to his podcast, Leading Steep, at LeadingSteep.com. Facebook: @leadingsteepfiresideInstagram: @leadingsteepSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

8 Maalis 202150min

Originally aired May 7, 2018On today's show, Amber Casali joins Curt to fill us in on everything we didn't know about fire lookout towers. Born and raised in Seattle, Amber Casali considers herself a stereotypical Pacific Northwesterner, someone who loves the outdoors and relishes the natural beauty of our region. She has summited Mount Adams, Mount Baker, and Mount Rainier; section hiked most of Washington’s PCT, including six days solo in Glacier Peak Wilderness; successfully taken the Washington Alpine Club’s Basic Climbing and Mountaineering course; and she has recently become certified in Wilderness First Aid, through NOLS. Stay tuned. This show has some really interesting information you don't want to miss!Book: "Hiking Washington Fire Lookouts"Want to feel more energized, join a fun community, and stay healthy through a variety of online classes? Join TheRestorationDepot.com. "First Class Special" is only $5!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 Maalis 202149min

Our culture is geared to highlight our strengths. From our performances at work, in athletics, to the pictures that ultimately make it on Instagram. We thrive off our showing the world what we’re good at. But what if your weakness is unavoidably apparent and something you absolutely have to reckon with to live without compromise? Meet Wesley. He was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy which affects his fine motor skills on the right side of his body. The only problem? He finds peace and joy climbing mountains and hiking trails in places that folks with cerebral palsy “aren’t supposed to go”. He couldn’t let that stop him. His love for the outdoors has led him to climb every mountain in Colorado over 14,000 ft (54 of them), thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail (2,653 miles) from Mexico to Canada, and has ultimately led to a career in the outdoors through working for the American Hiking Society. Athletic Brewing is a proud supporter of AHS through our Two For The Trails program. We just launched a brand new Two For The Trails grant program where organizations all over the country can apply to get funding for trail-based projects. Athletic Brewing has committed to giving $500,000 worth of grants by June, so if you or anyone you know would like to apply, go here. Two For The TrailsTo learn more about Welsey and to watch his films:Film: Within WeaknessInstagram: @wesleytrimbleAmerican Hiking SocietySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Maalis 202151min